Vehicle propelling mechanism



June 8 1926.

Filed May 20. 1924 2 Sheets-Sheet p, mL R, mm, H WH th/f U m im www Q mw uw wm A xm v0 lai ,fw n@ m ww n .w m A f A inf: V M wm, MV @y v n@ Q mm, @m mm Pu m l lrmv J v l mm mm mm .wm Q wm u# m?. it.: x w uw# m. \W WW v n mm O Y@ @w Q oV 8v s vw um mm Q m x u E E mm, H

June 8 1926.

V. D. WHITE VEHICLE PROPELLING MECHANISM Filed May 2O- 1924 2 Sheets-Sheet s. a w

Patented June 8, 1926.

VIBGIL D. WHITE, OF WEST OSSIPEE, NEW HAMPSHIRE, ASSIGNOR TO SNOWMOBILE COMPANY, OF ROCHESTER, NEW HAMPSHIRE, A. CORPORATION OF NEW HAMP- SHIRE.

VEHICLE PROPELLING MECHANISM.

Application led Hay 20, 1924. Serial No. 714,576.

This invention relates to a novel and improved vehicle propelling mechanism of the track-laying type, suitable for use in connection with ordinary motor cars to adapt them for use on snow and other surfaces, where sulicient traction and contact are not Vafforded by wheels, and where the wheels otherwise would sink down into the snow, and render the motor car useless.

The invention will be best understood by reference to the following description, when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings of one specific embodiment thereof, while its sco e will be more particularly pointed out in t e appended claims.

In the drawings:

Fi 1 is a Plan of a ortion of a motor vehic e having a propelling mechanism embodying the invention, the endless tracks being omitted in this view, the better to illustrate the remainder of the'mechanism;

Fig. 2 is a sectional view on line 2-2 of Fi 1;

ig. 3 is a sectional view on an enlargedscale on line 3-3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is 'a detail end view of one of the sliding blocks shown'in Fig. 3; and

Fig. 5 is a sectional view on line 5 5 of Fig. 1.

Referring to the drawings, and to the embodiment of the invention which is selected for exemplification, there is shown a portion of a motor vehicle having a main frame comprising longitudinal bars 7 (see Figs. 1 and 2) and transverse bars 8 and 9. This trarne supports a power plant including a clutch and transmission having a housing, a portion of which is shown at 10 in Fig. i.

The vehicle is provided with a rear axle of suitable construction, the one herein shown comprising a differential housing 11, two tubes 12 inserted therein and extending laterally therefrom, and two brake mounti 13, into which the other ends of the ti-izs extend. The dilferential housing encloses a usual differential gearingincluding a carrier 14 (see Fig. 5), to which is secured a ar such as a worm gear 15, which meshes with and is driven by a` worm 16. The worm is driven by a usual longitudinal drivin'g shaft, a portion of which is shown at 17, housed in a torque tube 18, the rear and of which is secured by bolts 19 to the mounted in a manner housing 1,1. The front end of the torque tube is connected to the clutch and transmission housing 10` (see Fig. 1) by a usual universal joint 20, which permits the rear axle and torque tube to and to turn about a longitudinal axis. The differential gearing transmits power in a well-known manner to two axle shafts 21, one of which is shown in section in Fig. 5, and by these shafts rear wheels 22 are driven, as by being keyed to the shafts in a well-known manner. Brace rods 23, sometimes called radius rods, are secured at their rear ends by bolts 24 see Fig. 1) to the brake mountings 13, w ile the front ends of said rods are secured to the other end of the tor ne tube by bolts 25. The vehicle as thus ar described may be of any usual or suitable construction.

Forward of the rear wheels are auxiliary or idler wheels 26, which turn on and about the spindles 27, which are independently presently to be described. Associated wit each rear driving wheel and its companion auxiliary wheel is an endless traction belt or track 28, having appropriate cleats 29, which afford good traction. To maintain the proper lateral relationship between the belt and the wheels, the belt herein is provided with a series of inwardly disposed projections, herein brackets 30, which embrace the usual tires, such as dpneumatic tires 31 and 32 on the rear an auxiliary wheels. A practicall nonslipping driving connection between t e rear tires and the traction belts is conveniently afforded by traction chain 33, about the tires, and having cross chains 34 interspersed between the brackets 30. The auxiliary wheels are mounted for independent movement and adjustment, and the load is distributed beplay up and down tween the rear and auxiliary wheels in a tion permits each auxiliary wheel to move Y vertically independently of the other, While its axis is maintained in arallelism with the axis of the rear axle. his has several advantages, among them being the fact that, in travelling over uneven surfaces, independent movement of the Wheels is permitted, thereby preventing twisting of the traction belts, distortion of any of the mechanism, and ensuring maximum traction of both belts at all times, regardless of inequalities of the surface of the snow at the two sides of the machine. This is especially im ortant when passing in and out of ruts, an in travelling over drifted snow, which otherwise would interfere with the traction.

Proper distribution of the weight between the rear and auxiliary wheels is obtained by supporting the load carrying frame intermediate the axes of the rear and auxiliary wheels herein at a point somewhat nearer to the axis of the rear wheels than to' that of the auxiliary wheels. y Roughly speaking. the point of support is about one-third of the distance from the axis of the rear wheels to that of the auxiliary wheels, so that in a general way, about two-thirds of the load is carried on the rear wheels and onethird on the auxiliary wheels. This is conveniently accomplished in the present example by the use of two quarter-elliptic springs 40, whose rear ends are connecte by shackles 41 to brackets 42 on the carriers 35, while the front ends of these springs are rigidly secured to the frame, as b brackets 43 secured to the frame 7. In t e present example, owing to the fact that the springs .are considerably oiset from the sides of the frame (see Fig. 1), the means of attachment of the springs with the-frame is strengthened by a transverse rod 44, which is mounted in brackets 45 on the frame, and has its terminal portions received in the brackets 43. To avoid interference of this rod with 4the torque tube 18, the central portion of the rod is bent or bowed in an upward direction.

Independent adjustment of the tensions of the traction belts is conveniently accomplished by providin each of the carriers 35 with a longitudine slot 46 (see Fig. 2), which receives two sliding blocks 48 and 49 (see Fig. 3), one, herein the block 48, `having screw-threaded engagement `with the spindle, and the other presenting an abutment for a nut 50 threaded onto the spindle. The width of the slot is somewhat greater 'than the diameter of the spindle, and inter- :ference of the threads with the slot is thereby avoided. A conical projection 51 on the nut is received in a corresponding opening in the block 49, and serves to center the spindle and take the load. Rotation of the b ocks is pre by providi them with reduced portions 52 and 53, w ich have a snag working fit in the slot 46. The apee presentedbythe meer faoeofeach block is exemplified in Fig. 4, which shows the inner face of the block 49.

It should now be evident that, by simply loosening the nut 50, the spindle can be placed in the proper position, after which 1t is clamped by tightening the nut. As an additional precaution, to prevent acci* dental sliding movement of the block in a rearward direction owing to the belt tension, in the present example, I have provided a set-screw 54 (see Fig. 2), extending through and having screw-threaded engagement with a lug 55 presented by the carrier 35, a locknut 56 being provided to lock the set-screw in the desired position of adjustment.

It is important that each auxiliary'wheel should accuratel track with its companion rear wheel, there y to ensure true running of the traction belts, and to prevent chafing of the tires by the yoke-like brackets 30, which embrace them. In practice, it is found that Wheels differ somewhat in dimensions, and more particularl that some are dished more than others. ese variations can be compensated for very conveniently by adjusting the auxiliary wheels along their axes. This is effected by simply loosening the nut 50 to the necessary extent, and turning the s indle in the block 48 in which it is threa ed. When the proper alignment of the wheels has been obtained, the nut is tightened, and the wheel is securely held in its roper position.

aving thus described one embodiment of the invention, but `without limiting myself thereto, what I claim and desire by Letters Patent to secure is: v

41. In a motor vehicle, the combination of a rear axle, a pair of driving Wheels carried by said axle, a second pair of Wheels forward of said driving wheels, driving connections between said driving wheels and said second wheels, respectively, separate mountings forsaid second wheels, pivoted on said rear axle to turn about horizontal axes, and a load-supporting frame' supported by said mountin and thus' jointly sup`- ported b said driving wheels andby said second w eels.

2. In a motor vehicle, the combination of a rear axle, a pair of load-sustaining driving wheels carried by said axle, a pair of front auxiliary load-sustaining wheels, n

air of traction belts for driving said auxiliary Wheels from said driving wheels and for sustaining the load of said wheels, a load-supporting frame, and means to su port said frame on said wheels and to predetermine the distribution of its weight thereon with the ater proportion of the weight on said driving wheels.

3. In a motor vehicle, the combination of a rear axle, a pair of load-sustaining driving wheels carried b said axle, a pair of front auxiliary loa sustaining wheels, a

lll

air of traction belts for driving said auxilla'ywheels from said driving wheels and for sustaining the load of said wheels, a load-supporting fname, and means support- Vin .said frame on and intermediate said driving wheels and-said idler wheels.

4. Ina motor vehicle,.the combination of a rear axle, a 'pair of load-sustaining drivv ing wheels carried b said axle, a pair of front auxiliary loa -sustaining wheels, a i pair of traction belts for driving said idler wheels from said drivin wheels4 and for sustaining the' load of said Wheels, a loadsupporting frame, and means pivotally supporting said frame on and intermediate said driving wheels and said auxiliar wheels.

5. In a motor vehicle, the com ination of Y a 'rear axle, a pair of driving wheels carried by said axle, la pair of idler wheels, a'pair of4 traction belts for driving said lidler wheels from said driving wheels, and means for adjusting said idler wheels axially to traek` with said driving wheels.

'6.' In a motor vehicle, the combination of a rear axle,'a pair of driving wheels carried by said axle, apair of idler Wheels, a pair of traction belts for driving said idler wheels from said driving wheels, spindles for said idler ',wheels, supports for said spindles, and means providing for axial adjustment of said spindles relatively to their respective support-s.

7. In a motorveh'cle, the combination of a rear axle, a pair of driving wheels carried -by said axle, a pair of idler wheels, a pair of tract'on belts for driving said idlerj wheels rom jsaid driving wheels, spindles for said idler wheels, supports for said spindles on said axle, and means providing foraxial adjustment of said spindles rela? tively to their respective supports. A

8.f In a motor vehicle, the combination of a rear axle, a pair 'of drivingwheels carried by said axle, a l of traction be ts Afor driving` said idler wheels from said drivi'ng` wheels, spindles for said idler wheels, and supporting means into which said spindles are threaded for axial adjustment.-

9. In a motor vehicle, the combination of a rear axle a pair of driving wheels carried by said axle, a pair of idler wheels, a pair of traction belts for driving said idler wheels from said ,driving wheels, threaded spindles for said idler wheels; nuts into which `said spindles are `threaded and by which said spindles are supported, and means for suportin a load on said nuts. 10. In a motor ve icle, the combination o a rear axle a pair ofdriving wheels carried by said axle, a pair of idler wheels, a pair of traction belts for driving said idler wheels from said driving wheels, threaded spindles for said idler wheels, nuts into which said spindles are threaded and by air of idler wheels, a pair' which said spindles are supported, and l means carried by said rear axle for supportof tract-ion belts for driving said idler` wheels from said driving wheels, threaded spindles for said idler wheels, nuts into which said spindles are threaded and by which said spindles are supported, and supports carried by said rear axle and in turn carrying said nuts, said supports presenting slots which receive said spindles.

12. In a motor vehicle, the combination of a rear axle, a pair of driving wheels carrie'd by said axle,su ports carried by said axle,

spindles carried )y said supports and having 4means for axial adjustment relatively thereto, idler wheels carried by` said spindles, re- Y, speotively, and a pair of traction Abelts connesting said driving wheels to said idler wheels.

' 13.` In a motor vehicle, the combination of f a rear axle, a pair of driving wheels carriedf 0v by said axle, sup orts carried by said axle, spindles carried y said supports and hav'- ing means for `axial adjustment relatively' thereto; wheels carried by said spindles, re spectively, and drivingconnections between said driving wheels and the wheels carried by said spindles.

14. In a motorvehicle, the combination of a rearaxle, a pair of driving Wheels carried by said axle, a Second pair of wheels, a pair of Atraction lbelts connecting said driving wheels with said second-wheels, respectively, spindles foi-,said second wheels, respectively. and means providing for axial adjustment of said spindles to cause said second wheels to track with said driving wheels, respectively.

15. In la. vehicle, the combination of a rear` axle, a pair of driving wheels carried thereby, `a secondpairl of wheels, {iexible driving connections between said drivin 'wheels and said second wheels, and means or adjusting said second wheels independently of each other to vary the tension of said driving connections independently while maintaining parallelism of the axes of said second Wheels with respect to the axes of said driving wheels.

16. In a vehicie, the combination of a rear an axle, a pair of load-sustaining driving wheels carried by said axle, a pair of auxiliary load-sustaining wheels, driving connections between said driving wheels and said auxiliar-y wheels, load-supportin'r `means supported by and connecting said, driving wheel and said auxiliary wheels, and a loadsuppoiting frame supported by said Aloadsupporting means.

18. In a motor vehicle, the combination of au axle, a pair of load-sustaining driving wheels carried by said axle, a pair of auxiliary load-sustaining wheels, driving connections between said driving wheels and said auxiliary wheels, load-supportin means supported by and connecting sai driving wheels and said auxiliary wheels and maintaining thein in definitely spaced relationship, a loadsupporting frame and cushioning means interposed between said load-supporting frame and said load-supporting means andsupporting the former on the latter.

19. In a motor vehicle, the combination of an axle, a pair of driving wheels carried by said axle, a pair of auxiliary Wheels, driving connections between said drivin wheels and said auxiliary wheels, loa -supporting means directly connecting said driving wheels and said auxiliary wheels, and a load-supporting frame supported directly by said load-sup orting means intermediate said driving W eels and said auxiliary wheels,

20. In a motor vehicle, the combination of an axle, a pair of driving wheels carried by said axle, a air of auxiliary wheels, driving connections etween said driving wheels and said auxiliary wheels, load-supporting means deriving support solely from said driving wheels Yand said auxiliary wheels, and a load-supporting frame deriving support from said wheels solely through said loadsupporting means.

21. In a motor vehicle, the combination of an axle, a pair of load-sustaining driving wheels carried by said axle, a pair of auxiliary load-sustaining wheels, a pair of auxiliary wheel carriers Hexibly connected with said axle, driving connections between saidl driving wheels and said auxiliary Wheels,l

and a load-supporting frame supported by said wheel carriers and deriving support from said wheels solely through said wheel carriers.

In testimony whereof, I have name to this specification.

VIRGIL D. WHITE.

signed my Vauxiliary wheels, load-supportinl,r

an axle, a pair of load-sustaining driving wheels carried by said axle, a air of auxiliary load-sustaining wheels, driving connections between said driving wheels and said y means supported by and connecting sai driving wheel and said auxiliary Wheels, and a loadsupporting frame supported by said loadsupporting means.

18. In a motor vehicle, the combination of an axle, a pair of load-sustaining driving wheels carried by said axle, a pair of auxiliary loadsustaining Wheels, driving connections between said driving wheels and said auxiliary wheels, load-supportin means supported by and connecting sai driving wheels and said auxiliary wheels and maintaining them in definitely spaced relationship, a loadsupporting frame, and cushioning means interposed between said load-supporting frame and said loadsupporting means andsupporting the former on the latter.

19. In a motor vehicle, the combination of an axle, a pair of driving wheels carried by said axle, a pair of auxiliary wheels, driving connections between said drivin Wheels and said auxiliary Wheels, loa -supporting means directly connecting said driving wheels and said auxiliary Wheels, and a load-supporting frame supported directly by said load-sup orting means intermediate said driving w eels' and said auxiliary wheels.

20. In a motor vehicle, the combination of an axle, a pair of driving Wheels carried by said axle, a air of auxiliary wheels, driving connections etween said driving wheels and said auxiliary wheels, load-supporting means deriving support solely from said driving wheels Aand said auxiliar Wheels, and a load-supporting frame eriving support from said wheels solely through said loadsupporting means. e

21. In a motor vehicle, the combination of an axle, a pair of load-sustaining driving Wheels carried by saidaxle, a pair of auxiliary load-sustaining wheels, a pair of auxiliary Wheel carriers flexibly connected with said axle, driving connections between said' drivi wheels and said auxiliary wheels, and a cad-supporting frame supported by said wheel carriers and deriving support from said wheels solely through said wheel carriers.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification.

VIRGIL D. WHITE.

Certificate of Correction.

It is herebycer'tifed that in Letters Patent No. 1,587 ,570, granted June 8, 1926, upon the appllcatlon of Virgil D. White, of Test Ossipee, New Hampshire, for an improvement in Vehicle Propellin specification requiring correction as Mechanism, errors appear in the printed ollowszPage 1, line 6, after the Word contact insert the word area; page 3, lines 6 and 11, claims 3 and 4, for the word idler read awpliary; and that the said Letters Patent should be read with these corrections therem that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Office.

Signed and. sealed this 20th day of July, A. D. 1926.

M. J. MOORE, Acting Gommsamwr of Patmts.

Certificate of Correction.

It is hereby certified that in Letters Patent No. 1,.38'?',.5T0` granted June 8, 1926, upon the application 0f Virgil D. 'hite, of West Ossipee, New Hampshire, for an improvement in Vehicle Propelling Mechanism, errors appear in the printed specification requiring correction as follows: 'Page 1, line 6, after the word contact insert the word area; page 3, lines 6 and 11, claims 3 and 4, for the Word idler read mmrz'my; and that the said Letters Patent `qhould be read with these g'rections therein that. the same may con form to the record 0f the case in the Patent Signed sind sealed this 20th day of July, A. D. 1926.

[SEAL] M. J. MOORE,

Acting Commissioner of Patents. 

